Stereotype-plate mechanism



A. A. HENZl STEREOTYPE PLATE MECHANISM Nov. 11. 1924.

Origin a1 Filed Feb. 17.

1921 a SheetsSheet 1 A TTOQNEY Nov; 11 1924. 1,514,766

A. A. HENZI STEREOTYPE' PLATE MECHANISM Original Filed Feb. 17 1921' 3 Sheets-Sheet 2' w INVENTOR.

A. A. HENZI STEREOTYPE PLATE MECHANISM Nov. 11. 1924. v 1,514,766

Original Filed Feb. 17-. 1921 s Sheets-Sheet s IN VEN TOR A TT RNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1&24.

stares ALBERT A. HENZI, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ass stance ro eoss :enrn'rrrte Panes COMEANY, A oonronarron'or ILLINOIS.

STEREOTYPE-PLATE ranor eivrsnr.

Original application filed February 17, 1921, Serial No. 445,862. Divided and this application filed October is, 1921. Serial No. 592,470.

1 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALB RT A. HE zr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Stereotype-Plate Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to stereotype plate making mechanism and more especially to a plate delivering mechanism, or machine for mechanically removing a plate from the casting machine or mechanism and delivering it to a plate trimming mechanism or elsewhere as desired.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and in'iprovements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, illustrate one embodiment of theinvention, and together with the description, serve to eX- plain the principles of the invention.

Of the drawings Fig. 1 is a central, vertical, longitudinal section through a machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a full top plan of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with certain parts partially broken away;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1; i

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 55 of 1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the drag of a casting box showing the plate carrier engaging the plate preparatory to the removal of the plate from the drag;

Fig. 7 shows the plate carrier after it has rotated the plate out of the drag. so that the plate is supported upon the carrier;

8 shows the plate carrier in raised position, ready to be swung horizontally a ay f om the casting ee;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevation of the upper part or the machine, looking at the machine in the position of' Fig. 1 from the front thereof; and at Fig. 2 from the bottom;

F ig, 10 is a diagrammatic view of two casting mechanisms served by a single plate delivery mechanism, delivering the plates from both casting mechanisms to a single.

plate trimming mechanism.

This application is a division of my copending application Ser. No. 445 ',8,6,2,"filed Feb. 17, 1921.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of example inthe accompanying drawings, 'the drag or concave member of a casting box is shown generally as 1, and preferably the drag'is provided with a receding or recessible matrixcarrying part 2, which moves backwardly from casting position, thereby stripping the matrix from the plate through such movement. This recedent matrix-carrying back is shown clearly in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, and" is described and shown in detail in application S. N. 408,203 of Albert A. Henzi, filed September 4, 1920.

The plate :0 is supported in the body 1 of the drag at either end of the member 2, this support of the plate being shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The plate is preferably cast with a tail or extraportion at each end thereof for this purpose.

If desired, this delivering mechanism can also be employed with the saddles or elevating devices shown in application Ser. No. 454,001, of Martin WV. Brueshaber, filed March 21, 1921.

Referring now more particularly to the plate carrier 5 and its supporting and actuating mechanism, the carrier is shown with a central portion 6 of substantially the internal width or diameter of the stereotype plate .02. At either side thereof the carrier has a horizontal longitudinally-disposed, outwardlyprojecting-rib 7, the body portion 5 being adapted to fit within the concave side of the plate, the straight edges of the plate resting against or upon and along the tongues or members 7 and the sides of the plate immediately adjacent the straight edges resting against the external sides of the body 6.. The plate carrier 5 is reversible, t t i t W a Plate 1 .1 eith r side thereof, thereby avoiding idle rotation of the carrier to bring it to plate-receiving position. The plate carrier is designed to have vertical motion toward and away from the plate a: to bring it into the above-described engagement with the straight edges of the plate while the plate is resting in the drag with its concave side upwardly, as shown in Fig. 6.

The plate carrier 5 has horizontal movement to and away from its support, and into cooperate relation with a trackway or guideway, so that the hot and heavy plate may be pushed without lifting from the car :rier onto and along the guideway, and from the guideway into a trimming machine, or onto a receiving table for a trimming machine, or onto any other deliverv or support. Means are also provided for swinging the tracks horizontally so that the machine may take plates from a plurality of casting'mechanisms in alternation, and may deliver all the plates at a single place or at a plurality of places, as may be desired.

Means are provided by the invention for rotating the plate carrier and also for moving it into connection with and away from the trackway or guideway which receives the plate :0 from the carrier. This means permits the plate carrier to be moved into engaging position with reference to the plate, as shown in Fig. 6, then to be rotated, to take the plate out of the drag and to bring it upon the upper side of the plate carrier to be supported thereby. The plate carrier, as stated, is reversible, that is, it will engage and cooperate with the plate upon either side, thereby obviating any idle or return rotary motion of the carrier to bring it into operative position with respect'to the plate.

l n'the embodied form of said means, a shaft 12 is fixed to and supports the plate carrier 5, this shaft fitting within a cylindrical sleeve 13. The shaft is connected to the sleeve by a spline 14, so that the shaft will rotate with the sleeve while removing the plate from the dra as already described, but the shaft has longitudinal movement relatively to the sleeve to thereafter bring the carrier, supporting the plate back to the tracks, so that the plate can he slid from the carrier 5 onto the delivering trackway or guideway. The sleeve 13 is rotatably journaled in hearings 1G and 17, in a support 15, which support is mounted upon the frame, to have horizontal 'rotational movement, and also vertical move ment, for; purposes which will be hereinafter described. I

Fixed to or formed upon the exterior of sleeve 13 is a worm wheel 18, located between the bearings 16 and 17. Meshing with theworm, wheel 18 is a worm19, fixed on a shaft 20, which is journaled at 21 and 22 ,bly carried.

ably extends upwardly from the top of the in the machine frame. The shaft 20 is provided with one or more hand wheels 23 by which it may be rotated, thereby rotating the sleeve .13, shaft 12 and plate carrier to ren'iove the plate from the drag, already indicated.

The embodied form of means for imparting longitudinal movement to the shaft 12 comprises a shaft 28 journaled in a bearing 29 which is fixed to, or is an enlarged projecting end of the sleeve 13, and is located ireferably externally to and at the rear of the journal bearing 17. Fixed on shaft 28 is a pinion 30, which meshes with a straight gear or racl: 31, formed along the shaft 12. Shaft 28 is provided with one or more hand wheels By rotating either of the hand wheels 82. shaft 12' may be slid longitudinally to and fro in the bearing sleeve 13.

The plate-receiving trackways, onto which the plate may be slid from plate carrier 5, comprise two parallel rails 37 and 38, which are mounted upon the support 15, and extend rearwardly therefrom for any convenient distance. The tracks 37 and 38 may be supported in any suitable manner, as by webs or struts 39 extending outwardly and rearwardly' from the sides of the support 15, the tracks resting thereupon. Cross-pieces 40 may also be provided between the rails, and any other, stiffening and supporting means may be utilized as found necessary or convenient.

It may be necessary or desirable in certain cases to provide for vertical movement of the plate carrier 5, although in certain other cases the movements already described will be found adequate to effect the removal of the plate from the drag and its delivery to the finishing machine or elsewhere. In the embodied form of means for imparting vertical movement to the mechanism, the support 15 is mounted upon a carrier 44 to have horizontal. rotary movement relative thereto, the carrier and the support 15 having vertical movement together relatively to the machine frame.

As embodied, fixed to or integral with the support 15 is a hollow'cylindrical sleeve 45,

extending downwardly and fitting within a like sleeve 46, which latter is part of the support 44. On the upper surface of the support 44, is an annular ball or roller bearing 47 upon which the support 15 is rotata An annular flange 48 prefercarrier 44, and a flange 49 extends downwardly from the support 15 and its about the flange 48.

The means for raising and lowering the mechanism just described, as embodied, comprises fo-ot operated means for depressing the mechanism and automatic spring operated means for raising it.

As embodied, the sleeve 46 is provided on the exterior thereof, with dlZUlIOtl'lCfldlYrSGP- ara-ted, longitudinally-disposed, outwardlyprojecting guiding lugs orguides and These lugs work in corresponding guideways 52 and 53, formed upon an upwardly extending column or shell 5%, which is part of the machine frame. The hollow column or support 54 is fixed to or integral with the base 55 of the machine. Fixed to the sleeve L6 are two outwardly projecting lugs 55 and 56, to which is pivotally connected a link 57. The link 57 is pivoted at its bottomend 58 to a foot lever 59, which lever is yoked or forked as shown in Fig. 4, and is pivotally supported at 60 and 61 upon the frame 5-4.

The springeactuated elevating means, as embodied, comprises a rod 63, which projects upwardly from the base 54 and passes into the central aperture (id'within the sleeve 15. A strong spring 65 is in compression between the machine base 55 and the bottom 66 of the sleeve 46.

A foot-operated detent lever is provided for holding this mechanism in depressed position, and as embodied, a foot lever 69is pivotally supported at 70 on a support 71, carried by the base 55. The lever 69 extends upwardly and terminates in a hook 72 adapted to hook over one fork or arm of the foot lever 59, as shown in Figs. 1 and i, as the latter is pressed downwardly by the foot of the workman. Spring 73 tends to hold the hook 72 in engaging position.

The manner of operation of the mech anism just described is substantially as follows The plate carrier may be regarded as in the retracted position shown in Fig. 2, and just after the plate has been removed therefrom. If it is desired to take the next succeeding plate a: from another casting box, the support 15 may be swung or rotated on its support it to bring it into line with such other casting box. The hand wheel 32 is then rotated and the plate carrier 5 thereby moved horizontally and is brought to the position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings with respect to the plate which is to be delivered.

If the machine embodies the raising and lowering mechanism, the lever 59 will be in raised or released position, the mechanism being raised by spring 65. Tn this case, to bring the plate carrier 5 downwardly into contact with the straight edges of the plate m as shown in Fig. 6, the workman will step on the lever 59, depressing the plate carrier and the lever 69 will-hold the mechanism in this position. One of the hand wheels 23 will now be rotated to rotate shaft 12 and move the plate holder 5 from the position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 7,wvhei*ein the plate has been removed from the drag ofthe casting machine and is supported on its straight edges upon and above the plate carrier 5. By stepping upon lever .69, the workman re leases the mechanism and spring 65 will raise the plate to the position shown in fly rotating the hand wheed in the opposite direction, the plate $0 is brought back to the position of Fig. 2 and may then be pushed onto the tracks 37 and 38, and along these tracks to the finishing machine or other place of delivery. This avoids any lifting or handling of a hot and heavy plate, and also obviates keeping the casting machine idle waiting for the plate to cool sufiiciently to be handled, as is the case when the plates are removed by hand. it also provides an exceedingly expeditious way of 0 handling the plates, and speeds up both the casting and finishing.

In accordance with one feature of the invention there is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 10 a single plate removing machine serving two casting machines and delivering the plates from both to a single plate trimming machine.

In this figure a furnace and n'ielting pot are provided with two pumping mechanisms 81 and 82, serving respectively two casting mechanisms 83 and 84. The-casting mechanism 83 is shown closed for casting. The drag 85 of the other casting mechanism is shown open, and the plate delivery mechanism in operative relation therewith, as it will be just after or prior to the delivery of the plate. The trackway 87 and 38 is shown in position to deliver the plate to a delivery table 86 for a finishing machine 87, a like de-- livery table 88 being provided for a casting machine 83. A common deliver table-89 may be provided for both casting machines, if desired, the plate-delivering machine in such case being rotated horizontally to deliver the plates from both casting machines to this common delivery table. Usually in practice, however, the two delivery tables render the complete mechanism more flexible, and provide storage when necessary between the casting machine and the finishing machine.

in certain other aspects of the invention, I might employ a single plate casting machine machine and a single plate finishing machine with a single cooperating plate delivering mechanism therebetween. Gr a plurality of casting mechanisms might be employed with a single plate delivery mechanism and a sii'igle plate finishing mechanisin.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may he made therefrom within the scope of the accon'ipanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

iVhat 1 claim is 1. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively .rom any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plate and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

2. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single'plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plate on its straight edges and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

3. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to. slidingly support the plate and to swing it in a circular path and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

I. In combination a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism and a single plate delivering mechanism. for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plate on its straight edges and to swing it in a circular path and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

5. In combination a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms by rotary movement, and adapted to slidingly support the plate and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

6. In combination aplurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms by rotary and vertical movement and adapted to slidingly support the plate and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

7. In combination a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms by rotary movement, and adapted to slidingly support the plate on its straight edges and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

8. In combination a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism fortaking plates alter natively from any of the casting mecha nisms by rotary and vertical movement, and adapted to slidingly support the plate on its straight edges and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

9. In combination a plurality o1 stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, plate storage means for the plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plate and deliver it to the storage means for the plate finishing mechanism.

10. In combination a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, plate storage means for the plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plate and deliver it at any one of a plurality of places on the storage means for the plate finishing mechanism.

11. In combination a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, 21 plate finishing mechanism, plate storage means for the plate finishing mechanism, and a single'plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plate on its straight edges and deliver it to the storage means for the plate finishing mechanism.

12. In combination a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, plate storage means for the plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plate and to swing it in a circular path and deliver it at any one of a plurality of places on the storage means for the plate finishing mechanism.

13. In combination, a plate casting mech anism, a plate finishing mechanism, and an intervening plate delivering mechanism movable about a vertical axis int-o horizontal and longitudinal alinement With the plate casting mechanism for taking a plate from the casting mechanism and delivering it to the finishing mechanism,

14 In combination, plate casting mechanisms arranged at an angle to each other, a plate finishing mechanism, and an intervening plate delivering mechanism swing able about a vertical axis into alinement With the several plate casting mechanisms for receiving plates from them successively and clelivering them to the finishing mech anism.

15. In combination, a plurality of stereo- I type plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishlng mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism movable into longitudinal alinement With the several plate casting mechanisms for taking plates alternatively from any ofthe casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the 'plateand deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

16. In combination, aplurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism movable into longitudinal alinement' With the several plate casting mechanisms for taking plates alternatively "from any ofthe casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plateon its straight edges and deliver it. to the plate finishing mechanism.

17; In combination, a pluralityof stereotype plate castingmechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and asingle plate delivering mechanism movable into scbstantially horizontal and longitudinal alinement with the respective casting mechanisms for taking plates alternatively from any ofthecasting mechanisms byrotary movement, and

adapted to slidingly support the plate and type plate casting mechanisms, at platefinishing mechanism, and a plate delivering mechanism movable into successive alinement With the several casting mechanisms for drawing out a plate longitudinally from the casting mechanism anddelivcring it to the finishing mechanism.

20. In con'ibination, a plurality of stereo- 'tv e late castin mechanisms at Jlate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivery mechanism comprising a carrier, and a guideWay in alinement therewith, the said delivery mechanism being movable as a unit into longitudinal alinement with the several plate casting mechanisms, for taking a plate from a casting mechanism, and subsequently delivering it to the plate finishing mechanism.

21. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism movable about a vertical axis for taking plates alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms and adapted to slidingly support the plate and deliver it to the plate finishing mechanism.

In combination, a plurality of stereo type plate casting mechanisms, a plate finish ing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism movable about a vertical axis for taking plates alternatively from any of the'casting.mechanismsand adapted to slideingly support theplate on its straightvedges I cal axis into successive alinementwith the several casting mechanisms fortaking plates alternatively from any of the casting mech anisms by rotary movement, and adapted to slidingly support the plate and deliver' i to the plate finishing" mechanism. 1

2a. In combination, a-plurality of stereo type plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism movable about avertical axis into successive alinement with the several casting mechanisms fortakingplates; alternatively from any of the casting mechanisms by rotary movement, and adapted to slidingly support the plate'onits straight edges and deliver it to theplate finishing,- mechanism.

25. In combination, a plurality of stereo= type plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a plate delivering" mechanism movable about a vertical axis into successive alinement With the several" castingmechanisms for drawing out a -plate longitudinally from the casting mechanism and delivering it to the finishing mechanism;

26. In combination, aplurality of stereo type plate casting mechanisms, a plate fiir ishing mechanism, and a single plate clelivery mechanism comprising a carrier, and a guideivay in alinement therewith, the said delivery mechanism being movable as a unit about a vertical axis into'longitudinal aline ment with the several plate casting mechanisms, for taking a plate from a castingv mechanism, and subsequently delivering'it to the plate finishing mechanism.

27. In combination, a plurality ofstereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate'deliver ing mechanism movable longitudinally of the long axis of the plate for taking plates from the several casting mechanisms and delivering them to the finishing mechanism.

28. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism movable longitudinally of the long axis of the plate and also rotatable about its own longitudinal axis for taking plates from the several casting mechanisms and delivering them to the finishing mechanism.

29. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism movable longitudinally of the long axis of the plate and also rotatable type plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanlsm rotatable about 1ts own longitudinal axis, movable longitudinally of the long axis of the plate and also rotatable about a vertical axis, for taking plates from the several casting mechanisms and delivering them to the finishingmechanism.

31. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism separate from the casting mechanisms and movable into longitudinal alinement with them, respectively, for taking a plate from any of the casting mechanisms and delivering it to the finishing mechanism.

32. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism separate from the casting mechanisms and movable about a vertical axis into longitudinal alinement with them, respectively, for taking a plate from any of the casting mechanisms and delivering it to the finishing mechanism.

33. In combination, a plurality of stereotype plate casting mechanisms, a plate finishing mechanism, and a single plate delivering mechanism separate from the casting mechanisms and movable about a vertical axis into longitudinal alinement with them, respectively and also movable longitudinally of the plate, for taking a plate from any of the casting mechanisms and delivering it to the finishing mechanism.

34. In combination, a stereotype plate casting mechanism, a plate finishing mechanism, and a late delivering mechanism which is rotata le about its own longitudinal axis and which is movable back and forth in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate, for delivering the plate from the casting mechanism to the ishing mechanism.

35. In combination, a stereotype plate casting mechanism, a plate finishing mechanism, and a plate delivering mechanism which is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis and which is movable back and forth in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate and which is also turnable about a vertical axis for delivering the plate from the casting mechanism to the plate finishing mechanism.

36. In combination a plate casting mecha nism having a member rockable between open and closed positions, a platefinishing mechanism, and an intervening plate delivering mechanism taking a plate from the casting mechanism and delivering it to the finishing mechanism.

37. In combination, a plate casting mechanism, a plate finishing mechanism, and an intervening plate delivering mechanism movable into longitudinal alinement with the plate casting mechanism for taking a plate from a concave'member of the casting mechanism and delivering it to the finishing mechanism.

38. In combination, a stereotype plate casting mechanism comprising a member longitudinally rockable' between open and closed positions, a plate finishing mechanism, and a plate delivering mechanism movable back and forth in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the plate for delivering the plate from the casting mechanism to the plate finishing mechanism.

39. In combination, a plate casting mech anism, a plate finishing mechanism, plate delivering mechanism including means whereby a workman may direct the delivery mechplate fin anism to engage a plate and remove it from,

the casting mechanism and deliver it to the finishing mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT A. HENZI. 

